The community behind advocating for feeding babies breast milk is tight knit and amazing AF. You know what’s even MORE amazing? Momma’s who share their breast milk and mommas who will use another woman’s milk because their views on the importance of breast milk is a priority. Trusting another woman’s body and goodwill to feed your baby is such a precious gift and experience. I think the togetherness that women exhibit when it comes to raising healthy babies is beautiful and it absolutely takes a village to raise amazing little people. Thank you so much to Kristi for sharing her story on supplementing Dawson with donor milk! <3
TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT HOW YOU FEED YOUR BABY
I feed my baby donated breast milk donated to him from my amazing friend Samantha. I also feed my baby formula bottles.
IS THIS THE WAY YOU HAD IMAGINED FEEDING YOUR BABY? TELL ME WHAT THAT LOOKED LIKE
Not. At. All.
I had a plan to breastfeed my baby until he was one. My plan didn’t go according but neither did my pregnancy. Dawson was born 13 weeks prematurely. My body wasn’t able to produce enough breast milk for him. I saw multiple lactation consultants and did everything in the book to try and increase my supply. I even took a medication to try to increase it.
HOW DID YOU HAPPEN TO SETTLE ON THIS METHOD OF FEEDING
We had revived some donated breast milk for Dawson but Samantha gave him enough milk to last him until he is one.
WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ON INFANT FEEDING BEFORE YOU BECAME A MOTHER?
I think breastfeeding is amazing but I also think ANY way you have to feed your baby is amazing because I know the struggle and when it comes down to it, food is nourishment for your baby regardless of what it is.
HOW HAS FEEDING YOUR BABY THIS WAY MADE YOU A BETTER PERSON?
It has totally made me a better person. None of this would have been possible without Samantha and she offered this amazing gift to us unexpectedly and without question. I truly believe it has kept Dawson strong and away from sickness this past winter. As she has a son that she was feeding at home she was also pumping and collecting milk for Dawson. I will never be able to repay her for this and someday I hope to be able to do this for someone as she did for me.
WHAT TYPES OF COMMENTS (GOOD AND BAD) HAVE LEFT AN IMPRESSION ON YOU?
I have received good comments about people noticing that I think breast milk is important. I have also received comments like “isn’t that weird to you that you’re giving him someone else’s breast milk”
WHAT KIND OF ROLE HAS YOUR PARTNER PLAYED IN FEEDING YOUR BABY?
A huge role. He feeds the baby and connects during his feedings just as much as I do.
ANY ADVICE FOR FUTURE MOMMAS?
Do not stress.
I spent WAY too much time doing everything possible to try to produce more milk that I could have spend that time with my baby. Sometimes just accepting things the way they are makes life a lot easier.
